Discover the magic of New Orleans at Christmas! From the Roosevelt’s lights to historic French Quarter bars, here is your ultimate holiday travel guide.
There is a common misconception that New Orleans is strictly a summertime or Mardi Gras destination. But for those in the know, the absolute best time to experience the Crescent City is December. Gone is the oppressive, sticky humidity of the summer months. Instead, you are greeted by beautifully mild weather that makes walking the historic streets an absolute dream.
Even better? The city transforms into a spectacular holiday spectacle. Having spent many Christmases here, including one milestone birthday I will never forget, I’ve gathered the ultimate checklist for the perfect festive getaway to the Big Easy.
Visit the Crown Jewel of Holiday Decor: The Roosevelt Hotel
You cannot write about a New Orleans Christmas without starting at The Roosevelt Hotel. Their annual holiday display is legendary, turning the block-long grand lobby into a breathtaking “Waldorf Wonderland.” You won’t believe you eyes. .
Walking through the doors, you are instantly enveloped by a forest of birch trees, thousands of fresh firs, and a canopy of over 100,000 twinkling white lights. Grab a seasonal cocktail from the historic Sazerac Bar and simply take in the spectacular, glittering view. It is pure holiday magic.
Classic Holiday Traditions in the French Quarter
No matter how many times I visit, the historic French Quarter during December feels like stepping into a living holiday card. Here are the absolute must-dos to add to your itinerary:
Attend Mass at St. Louis Cathedral: No matter what you believe, attending a mass at the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the U.S. is deeply moving. The choir, the organ, the artwork surrounding you, is a sensory experience. Standing in Jackson Square with the cathedral illuminated against the winter blue sky is a spiritual and visual masterpiece.
A Classic Horse & Carriage Tour: After mass hop into a mule-drawn carriage. Trotting through the streets of the Quarter, listening to the history of the Creole townhouses adorned with festive red bows and lush garlands, is the ultimate way to soak in the atmosphere. Many of these tours will venture into the above ground cemetery too, which is fascinating.
Cafe du Monde: End tour the only correct way, buried under a mountain of powdered sugar at Cafe du Monde. A plate of warm, pillowy beignets paired with a steaming café au lait is even better when there’s a December breeze coming off the Mississippi River.
Caroling in Jackson Square
Right in front of St. Louis Cathedral is Jackson Square, is where the community gathers for the annual Caroling. Sponsored by the Patio Planters, thousands of locals and visitors pack the square, holding candles and song sheets, filling the historic French Quarter with a massive, acoustic choral performance.
Strolling and Shopping on Royal Street
Just one block over from the neon glow of Bourbon Street lies Royal Street, the elegant heart of the French Quarter’s art and shopping scene. In December, Royal Street turns into a festive, pedestrian-friendly paradise (the city blocks it off to traffic during the day so you can walk freely).
The wrought-iron balconies are draped in magnificent holiday greenery, and the world-class antique shops, jewelers, and art galleries decorate their window displays to the nines. It is the absolute best place to find a one-of-a-kind holiday gift, listen to incredible street musicians performing Christmas carols on brass instruments, and just soak in the sophisticated side of the city.
A Spin at the Famous Carousel Bar
While you are strolling down Royal Street, you’ll pass the historic Hotel Monteleone, and you simply must step inside. The lobby is beautifully decorated, but the real star of the show is the legendary Carousel Bar.
Yes, it actually rotates! Sitting at this 25-seat, 1940s carousel bar while it slowly spins is a New Orleans rite of passage. During the holidays, the entire room is decked out in festive finery. It is the ultimate spot to take a break from shopping, order a classic cocktail like a Vieux Carré, and watch the festive French Quarter crowd pass by.
Only-in-New Orleans Holiday Traditions
If you want to experience the holidays exactly like a local, you have to look beyond the convention centers and hotel lobbies. The city and surrounding bayous host a few festive traditions that you won’t find anywhere else on earth.
NOLA ChristmasFest: For families or anyone looking for a full winter festival experience, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center gets completely made over. They bring in a massive indoor ice-skating rink, ice slides, carnival rides, and a massive holiday village covered in life-sized displays.
The Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee: This is perhaps Louisiana’s most famous holiday tradition. Every Christmas Eve, massive, pyramid-shaped wooden bonfires (sometimes shaped like giant alligators or crawfish!) are built along the Mississippi River levees just outside the city. They are lit all at once to “light the way for Papa Noël” (the Cajun Santa Claus). It’s an incredible community celebration filled with music, laughter, and a glowing riverbank.
Celebration in the Oaks (City Park): For a truly spectacular light display, head out to City Park. Every December, 25 acres of the park’s historic, moss-draped oak trees are transformed by over a million twinkling lights. You can either drive through or stroll the grounds with a spiked hot chocolate, enjoying the glowing light tunnels and taking a photo with the iconic Mr. Bingle (New Orleans’ beloved vintage holiday mascot).
Réveillon Dinners: You cannot visit New Orleans without talking about food. Dating back to the mid-1800s, Creole families would break their day-long fast after Midnight Mass with a massive feast called Réveillon (French for “awakening”). Today, the city’s top historic restaurants carry on the tradition all month long, offering luxurious, multi-course prix-fixe holiday menus featuring turtle soup, decadent duck, and bread pudding.
Visit the Sights and Sounds of Bourbon Street
While Bourbon Street is famous for its wild nightlife, during the holidays it offers a perfect mix of festive revelry and world-class history. After at least five holiday visits, my absolute favorite bars to visit are:
| Iconic Bourbon Street Stop | What Makes it Festive & Fun |
|---|---|
| The Absinthe House | Duck into this historic 1800s stone bar for a warm escape and a classic, herb-forward Absinthe Frappé. |
| Maison Bourbon | One of the last authentic jazz clubs on the strip. Hearing live, soulful brass jazz spill out into the cool December air is pure magic. |
| Pat O’Brien’s | Head to the legendary courtyard to see the flaming fountain, sing along at the piano bar, and sip on their world-famous Hurricane cocktail. |
The Absinthe Ritual
I happened to be in New Orleans on my 50th birthday, and I knew I had to do something uniquely special to celebrate. I was by myself on a work trip, so after leaving the 50-yard line at the Superdome, I headed straight into the French Quarter for a proper drink.
If you’ve never had a traditional absinthe drink, the preparation is an art form in itself. I captured a video of the bartender preparing mine using the classic cold-water drip over a sugar cube on a slotted spoon. It felt like stepping back into the 19th century, the perfect, historic toast to turning 50!
Watch the traditional green fairy ritual in action at the historic Absinthe House!
Final Thoughts about New Orleans during the Holidays
New Orleans at Christmas isn’t just a trip; it’s a tradition. The combination of perfect weather, spectacular decorations, soulful jazz, and deeply personal milestones makes it a place I will return to time and time again.